Current sharing for multi-output charging device

ABSTRACT

A charging device, comprising a first power converter configured to provide a first output current, a second power converter configured to provide a second output current, a switch coupled to an output of the first power converter and an output of the second power converter, a first socket coupled to the output of the first power converter, a second socket coupled to the output of the second power converter, and a power delivery (PD) controller configured to control a turn ON of the switch in response to a coupling of the first socket to a first powered device and an absence of coupling of the second socket to a second powered device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.17/106,507, filed on Nov. 30, 2020, currently pending, which is acontinuation application of International Patent Application No.PCT/CN2019/101831, filed on Aug. 21, 2019. International PatentApplication No. PCT/CN2019/101831 and U.S. patent application Ser. No.17/106,507 are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION Field of the Disclosure

The present invention relates generally to providing a powered devicewith power that is generated by one or more power converters in acharging device.

Background

Electronic devices (such as cell phones, tablets, laptops, etc.) usepower to operate. Switched mode power converters are commonly used dueto their high efficiency, small size, and low weight to power many oftoday's electronics. Conventional wall sockets provide a high voltagealternating current. In a switching power converter, a high voltagealternating current (ac) input is converted to provide a well-regulateddirect current (dc) output through an energy transfer element to a load.In operation, a switch is utilized to provide the desired output byvarying the duty cycle (typically the ratio of the ON time of the switchto the total switching period), varying the switching frequency, orvarying the number of pulses per unit time of the switch in a switchedmode power converter.

A charging device may be coupled to a wall socket to receive an ac inputand includes a power converter which generates a dc output provided to aload. Power may be provided to electronic devices, which may also bereferred to as powered devices, through a cable, such as a UniversalSerial Bus (USB) cable. The powered device may be powered and/or chargedthrough the charging device. The powered device typically includes arechargeable battery, and the switched mode power converter typicallycharges the battery in addition to providing power to operate thepowered device. Typically, a cable connects to the charging device andthe powered device utilizing a plug interface. Each end of the cable mayhave a plug that connects to a respective socket of the charging deviceor the powered device.

A charging device with multiple sockets may be configured to chargemultiple powered devices. The charging device may comprise one or morepower converters that receive an ac input voltage, and provide a dcoutput to the powered devices. An output voltage multiplied by theoutput current is defined as the output power. In general, the amount ofpower that each power converter may provide to the powered device viathe socket can be described by an assured power condition and a sharedpower condition. In one example, assured power can be described as aminimum amount of power the power converter can provide to the powereddevice. In a further example, shared power can be described as a maximumamount of power the power converter can provide to the powered device.

Typically, for the charging device configured to charge two powereddevices, the charging device includes a two stage power converter. Inone example, the first stage of the power converter can include aflyback converter. The output of the first stage is used as the input toa second stage power converter, which can include a buck or a buck\boostconverter. Each second stage power converter is optimally designed toprovide the shared power to the powered device when a single powereddevice is plugged in. However, when both powered devices are plugged in,the charging device is configured to only provide the assured power,which is significantly less than the shared power. The efficiency of thetwo stage power converter can be computed as the reciprocal of theefficiency of the first stage power converter multiplied by thereciprocal of the efficiency of the second stage power converter. Havinga two stage power converter can decrease the overall efficiency, whichcan increase the heat dissipation of the charging device. To dissipatethe heat, the charging device may include a heatsink to dissipate theheat. As a result, the design of the overall charging device increasesin size and cost.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present invention aredescribed with reference to the following figures, wherein likereference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various viewsunless otherwise specified.

FIG. 1A illustrates an example of a multiple output charging devicewhich includes multiple power converters and a bidirectional switch thatis controlled by a power delivery (PD controller), in accordance withembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1B illustrates an example of a multiple output charging device asshown in FIG. 1A providing power to one or more powered devices, inaccordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1C is a simplified pinout diagram illustrating interconnections ofa socket and a plug utilized in the charging device of FIGS. 1A and 1B.

FIG. 1D is a pinout diagram of a USB type-C socket and plug utilized inthe example charging device of FIGS. 1A and 1B.

FIG. 2A is a functional block diagram of the first power converter andPD controller of the charging device of FIGS. 1A and 1B, in accordancewith embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2B is a functional block diagram of the second power converter andPD controller of the charging device of FIGS. 1A and 1B, in accordancewith embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a multiple output charging device thatcan provide power to one or more powered devices by controlling abidirectional switch of FIGS. 1A and 1B, in accordance with embodimentsof the present disclosure.

FIG. 4A illustrates an example of a flow diagram illustrating themicrocontroller determining if a single socket is coupled to a powereddevice or multiple sockets are connected to a powered device, inaccordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4B illustrates an example of a flow diagram illustrating theoperation of the charging device when only a first socket is coupled toa powered device, in accordance with embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 4C illustrates another example of a flow diagram illustrating theoperation of the charging device when a single socket is coupled to apowered device, in accordance with embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 4D illustrates an example of a flow diagram illustrating theoperation of the charging device when multiple sockets are coupled topowered devices, in accordance with embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding componentsthroughout the several views of the drawings. Skilled artisans willappreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicityand clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example,the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggeratedrelative to other elements to help to improve understanding of variousembodiments of the present invention. Also, common but well-understoodelements that are useful or necessary in a commercially feasibleembodiment are often not depicted in order to facilitate a lessobstructed view of these various embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Examples of providing a powered device with an output power that isgenerated by one or more power converters in a charging device aredescribed herein. In the following description, numerous specificdetails are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding ofthe present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one havingordinary skill in the art that the specific detail need not be employedto practice the present invention. In other instances, well-knownmaterials or methods have not been described in detail in order to avoidobscuring the present invention.

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “anembodiment,” “one example,” or “an example” means that a particularfeature, structure or characteristic described in connection with theembodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment of thepresent invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,”“in an embodiment,” “one example,” or “an example” in various placesthroughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to thesame embodiment or example. Furthermore, the particular features,structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitablecombinations and/or subcombinations in one or more embodiments orexamples. Particular features, structures or characteristics may beincluded in an integrated circuit, an electronic circuit, acombinational logic circuit, or other suitable components that providethe described functionality. In addition, it is appreciated that thefigures provided herewith are for explanation purposes to personsordinarily skilled in the art and that the drawings are not necessarilydrawn to scale.

Embodiments include a charging device with a single-stage powerconverter that is configured to charge multiple powered devices. Thecharging device may be referred to as a multiple output power converterwhich supplies power to multiple powered devices. The charging devicemay include multiple single-stage power converters where each output maybe coupled to a powered device. In one example, the single-stageconverter is a flyback converter. Functionally, the charging device isconfigured to provide shared power to the powered device when a singlepowered device is plugged in through one socket, and is furtherconfigured to provide the assured power when multiple powered devicesare plugged through multiple sockets. By utilizing a single-stage powerconverter in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure,there may be an increase in efficiency relative to the two stage powerconverter. Each single-stage power converter can be designed to providethe assured amount of power. As a result, the overall design of thecharging device may decrease in size and cost such as eliminating theheatsink. As will be further discussed herein in accordance withembodiments of the present disclosure, each single-stage power convertercan be used together to provide the shared power.

In some embodiments, the charging device may include a microcontrollerwhich monitors a socket to determine if a powered device is plugged in.The powered device and microcontroller can negotiate the power deliveryof the charging device to the powered device. One example of amicrocontroller which is configured to be compatible with the USB PowerDelivery (PD) standard, will be referred as a PD controller. The PDcontroller can communicate to the singlestage power converter to adjustthe output voltage, the output current, or both the output voltage andthe output current as a result of agreed upon power delivery. A changein either or both the output voltage and the output current may bereferred to as a change in output power.

In some embodiments, when one powered device is connected to any of thesockets, the powered device and PD controller can negotiate the powerdelivery of the charging device to the powered device up to the sharedoutput power. In some embodiments, the charging device further includesa bidirectional switch that is controlled by the microcontroller. Insome embodiments, the charging device can deliver the shared outputpower by enabling the bidirectional switch to couple each of thesingle-stage power converters together. The total output power deliveredfrom the charging device to the powered device can be a sum of the firstoutput power and the second output power. In order words, total outputdelivered may be the shared output power from the multiple single-stagepower converters.

When all sockets of the charging device are connected to powereddevices, the powered devices and microcontroller negotiate the powerdelivery of the charging device to each powered device up to the assuredamount of power. In some embodiments, the microcontroller disables thebidirectional switch to decouple each single-stage power converter.

The microcontroller may be configured to control the single-stage powerconverters in order to adjust/regulate the output voltage, the outputcurrent, or both the output voltage and the output current. In someembodiments, each single-stage power converter includes a powerconverter controller. The microcontroller can communicate to the powerconverter controller to change any of the output parameters mentionedabove, as well as read from the power controller any of the outputparameters of the single-stage power converters.

When the total output power delivered from the charging device to thepowered device is the sum of the first output power and the secondoutput power, the microcontroller may determine if the first outputpower and second output are equal with hysteresis. If the first outputpower or second output power are not equal with hysteresis, the PDcontroller can communicate to the power converter controllers to changeone of the output parameters until the first output power and the secondoutput power are equal with hysteresis.

To illustrate, FIG. 1A comprises a charging device 104 configured tocharge one or more powered devices, in accordance with embodiments ofthe present disclosure. As illustrated, the charging device 104comprises a first power converter 113, a second power converter 114, afirst socket 115 a, a second socket 115 b, a power delivery (PD)controller 116, and a bidirectional switch 117.

The first power converter 113 is configured to receive an ac inputV_(AC) 102, and outputs a first output power U_(O1) 125. The output ofthe first power converter 113 may be regulated by a first powerconverter controller. The second power converter 114 is also configuredto receive an ac input V_(AC) 102, and outputs a second output powerU_(O2) 129. The output of the second power converter 114 may beregulated by a second power converter controller.

The first socket 115 a comprises a voltage bus (VBUS) terminal and afirst configuration (CC1) and a second configuration (CC2) terminals. Inthe embodiment shown, the charging device 104 may deliver the firstoutput power U_(O1) 125 through the VBUS terminal. The second socket 115b also comprises a VBUS terminal and a first configuration channel (CC1)and a second configuration channel (CC2) terminals. In the embodimentshown, the charging device 104 may deliver the second output powerU_(O2) 129 through the VBUS terminal.

In the embodiment shown, PD controller 116 is configured to detect thecoupling of the first socket 115 a or the coupling of the second socket115 b to a powered device (not shown). The PD controller 116 isconfigured to receive the first configuration channel signal CC1 or thesecond configuration channel signal CC2 when a first powered device iscoupled to the socket 115 a. When the first powered device is plugged into the first socket 115 a, the orientation of the plug determineswhether the first configuration channel signal CC1 or the secondconfiguration channel signal CC2 is received by the PD controller 116.Furthermore, in the embodiment shown, the PD controller 116 isconfigured to receive the first configuration channel signal CC1 or thesecond configuration channel signal CC2 when a second powered device(not shown) is coupled to the second socket 115 b. When the secondpowered device is plugged in to the second socket 115 b, the orientationof the plug determines whether the first configuration channel signalCC1 or the second configuration channel signal CC2 is received by the PDcontroller 116.

The truth table 105 in FIG. 1A illustrates one embodiment of the totaloutput power delivered from the charging device to the first socket 115a and the second socket 115 b when the microcontroller detects if apowered device is connected to either one of the sockets or both of thesockets.

In one embodiment, when the first socket 115 a is coupled to a powereddevice and the second socket 115 b is not coupled to a powered device,the total output power delivered from the first power converter 113 andthe second power converter 115 to the first socket 115 a is thecombination of the first output power U_(O1) 125 and the second outputpower U_(O2) 129. In an embodiment, in order to provide the sum of thefirst output power U_(O1) 125 and the second output power U_(O2) 129,the PD controller 116 provides an enable signal 133 to the bidirectionalswitch 117 to turn on the bidirectional switch 117. The output from thesecond socket 115 b is denoted by X, which represents no power isdelivered from the second power converter 115 to the second socket 115 bsince the second output power U_(O2) 129 is delivered to the firstsocket 115 a through bidirectional switch 117.

In one embodiment, when the first socket 115 a is not coupled to apowered device and the second socket 115 b is coupled to a powereddevice, the total output power delivered from the first power converter113 and second power converter 115 to the second socket 115 b is thecombination of the first output power U_(O1) 125 and the second outputpower U_(O2) 129. In an embodiment, in order to provide the sum of thefirst output power U_(O1) 125 and the second output power U_(O2) 129,the PD controller 116 provides an enable signal 133 to the bidirectionalswitch 117 to turn on the bidirectional switch 117. The output from thefirst socket 115 a is denoted by X, which represents no power isdelivered from the first power converter 113 to the first socket 115 a,since the first output power U_(O1) 125 is delivered to the secondsocket 115 b through bidirectional switch 117.

In one embodiment, when the first socket 115 a is coupled to a firstpowered device and the second socket 115 b is coupled to a secondpowered device, the PD controller 116 provides an enable signal 133 tothe bidirectional switch 117 to turn off the bidirectional switch 117.The total output power delivered to the first socket 115 a is the firstoutput power U_(O1) 122 and the total power delivered to the secondsocket is the second output power U_(O2) 129.

FIG. 1B illustrates an example of a multiple output charging device asshown in FIG. 1A providing power to one or more powered devices, inaccordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. It is appreciatedthat the signals illustrated in FIG. 1B may be examples of correspondingsignals illustrated or described above in FIG. 1A, and that similarlynamed and numbered signals referenced below are coupled and functionsimilar to as described above.

As shown in FIG. 1B, the charging system 100 includes a charging device104 which may be configured to charge the first powered device 108 and asecond powered device 112. The charging device 104 comprises a firstsocket 115 a and a second socket 115 b. The first powered device 108comprises a socket 115 c, and the second powered device 112 comprises asocket 115 d. The first socket 115 a of the charging device 104 may becoupled to the socket 115 c of the powered device 108 through a cable106. The second socket 115 b of the charging device 104 may be coupledto the socket 115 d of the powered device 112 through a cable 110. Thecable 106 comprises plugs 118 a and 118 c, and the cable 110 comprisesplugs 118 b and 118 e.

In one example, the charging device 104 comprises a first powerconverter 113, a second power converter 114, a PD controller 116, abidirectional switch 117, a first pass transistor Q1 123, and a secondpass transistor Q2 127. The first power converter 113 may be configuredto generate a first output current I_(I) 124, and is regulated by afirst power converter controller. The first power converter 113 may becoupled to the first pass transistor Q1 123. As shown in one embodiment,the output of the first power converter 113 is coupled to the first passtransistor Q1 123. The second power converter 114 may be configured togenerate a second output current I₂ 128, and is regulated by a secondpower converter controller. The second power converter 114 may becoupled to the second pass transistor 127. As shown in one embodiment,the output of the first power converter 113 is coupled to the first passtransistor Q1 123.

In one embodiment, the PD controller 116 may be configured to detect acoupling of the first socket 115 a to the first powered device 108and/or detect a coupling of the second socket 115 b to the secondpowered device 112. When the first powered device 108 and/or the secondpowered device 112 are coupled to the charging device 104, the PDcontroller may negotiate a Power Delivery (PD) contract with the firstpowered device 108 and/or the second powered device 112. In anembodiment, the PD controller 116 is configured to detect a coupling ofthe first socket 115 a to the first powered device 108 based on theconfiguration channel signal CC1 121 a or CC2 122 a and detect anabsence of coupling of the second socket 115 b to the second powereddevice 112 based on the configuration channel signals CC1 121 b and CC2122 b. The PD controller 116 and the first powered device 108 negotiatea total output power of the charging device delivered from socket 115 ato the first powered device. The PD controller 116 is configured toadjust the output of first power converter 113 and the output of thesecond power converter 114. In one embodiment, the first power convertercontroller of the first power converter 113 is configured to receive oneor more communication signals from the PD controller 116. Similarly, thesecond power controller of the second power converter is configured toreceive communication signals from the PD controller 116. In response tothe communication signals from the PD controller 116, the first powerconverter 113 and the second power converter 114 may adjust theirrespective outputs.

In one embodiment, the PD controller 116 may be configured tocommunicate the communication signals to the first power convertercontroller and the second power converter controller over aninter-integrated (I²C) circuit bus as shown by the serial data signal(SDA) 131 and the serial clock signal (SCL) 132. The I2C serialcommunication may be configured to provide a master-slave relationshipbetween the PD controller 116 (master) to the first power converter 113(slave) and the second power converter 114 (slave) for regulating theoutput of the power converters. In one embodiment, the PD controller 116may send one or more communication signals through the I²C circuit busto adjust the regulation of a first output voltage, the first outputcurrent I₁ 124, the first output power U_(O1) 125, a second outputvoltage, the second output current I₂ 128, and/or the second outputpower U_(O2) 129. In addition, the PD controller 116 may communicate tothe first power converter controller to enable or disable passtransistor Q1 123 and communicate to the second power controller toenable or disable pass transistor Q2 127 in one embodiment. Furthermore,the PD controller 116 may determine if the first output power and secondoutput power are equal with hysteresis by reading the output parametersfrom the first power converter 113 and the second output power converter114. In one embodiment, PD controller 116 may set a hysteresis range ofwhen to communicate to the first power converter controller and thesecond power converter controller to change one or more of the outputparameters of the first or second power converter 113, 114 when theoutput parameters are outside of the hysteresis range until the firstoutput power and the second output power are equal within the hysteresisrange.

In one embodiment, when the first socket 115 a is coupled to the powereddevice 108 and the second socket 115 b is not coupled to the powereddevice 112, the total output power delivered from the first powerconverter 113 and the second power converter 115 to the first socket 115a includes a combination of the first output current I₁ 124 and thesecond output current I₂ 128. The PD controller 116 generates an enablesignal 133 to turn on the bidirectional switch 117. As such, node 126 ofthe first power converter 113 and node 130 of the second power converter114 are coupled together and the output current provided by the firstpower converter 113 is the sum of the first output current I₁ 124 andthe second output current I₂ 128. The PD controller 116 is furtherconfigured to turn off second pass transistor Q2 127, and turn on firstpass transistor Q1 123. Therefore, the first output power U_(O1) 125,which includes a combination of the first and second output currents I₁124, I₂ 128, is delivered from the charging device 104 to the socket 115a then to the powered device 108 via cable 106.

In another embodiment, the PD controller 116 is configured to detect anabsence of coupling of the first socket 115 a to the first powereddevice 108 based on the configuration channel signal CC1 121 a or CC2122 a and detect a coupling of the second socket 115 b to the secondpowered device 112 based on the configuration channel signals CC1 121 band CC2 122 b. The total output power delivered from the first powerconverter 113 and second power converter 114 to the second socket 115 bcan include a combination of the first output current I_(I) 124 and thesecond output current I₂ 128. The PD controller 116 may generate anenable signal 133 to turn on the bidirectional switch 117. As such, node126 and node 130 are coupled together an the output current provided bythe second power converter 114 is the sum of the first output currentI_(I) 124 and the second output current I₂. The PD controller 116 isconfigured to turn off the first pass transistor Q1 123, and turn on thesecond pass transistor Q2 123. Therefore, the second output power U_(O2)129, which includes a combination of the first and second outputcurrents I₁ 124, I₂ 128, is delivered from the charging device 104 tothe socket 115 b then to the powered device 112 via cable 110.

In a further embodiment, the PD controller 116 is configured to detectboth a coupling of the first socket 115 a to the first powered device108 based on the configuration channel signal CC1 121 a or CC2 122 a anda coupling of the second socket 115 b to the second powered device 112based on the configuration channel signals CC1 121 b and CC2 122 b. ThePD controller 116 provides an enable signal 133 to the bidirectionalswitch 117 to turn off the bidirectional switch 117. As such, nodes 126and 130 are not coupled together and the first output current I₁ 126 andthe second output current I₂ 128 are not combined. The PD controller 116is configured to turn on the first pass transistor Q1 123, and turn onthe second pass transistor Q2 123. In one embodiment, the total outputpower delivered to the first socket 115 a is the first output powerU_(O1) 122, which includes the first output current I₁ 124 and not thesecond output current I₂ 128, and the total power delivered to thesecond socket is the second output power U_(O2) 129, which includes thesecond output current I₂ 128 and not the first output current I₁ 124.

FIG. 1C illustrates an example simplified pinout diagram 101 for theinterconnections of the socket 115 and plug 118. It should beappreciated that the socket 115 and plug 118 shown in FIG. 1B is oneexample of sockets 115 a, 115 b, 115 c, and 115 d and plugs 118 a, 118b, 118 c, and 118 d shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B. The example pinout diagram101 illustrates a select few terminals for a USB Type-C socket and plug.The USB socket is discussed for the purpose of explanation, howeverother types of sockets and plugs may also be utilized with the teachingsof the present disclosure. As shown in the depicted example, socket 115includes a bus terminal VBUS 119, configuration channel terminal CC1121, configuration channel terminal CC2 122, and return terminal RTN120. Plug 118 includes bus terminal VBUS 134, configuration channelterminal CC1 136, configuration channel terminal CC2 137, and return RTN135, which corresponds to similarly named terminals included in socket115. In operation, plug 118 connects to socket 122 at the correspondingterminals. For the example shown, the bus terminal VBUS 134 and returnterminal RTN 135 of the plug 118 can couple to the bus terminal VBUS 119and return terminal RTN 120 of the socket 115, respectively. Further,both the configuration channel terminals CC1 136 and CC2 137 of plug 118can couple to either of the configuration channel terminals CC1 121 andCC2 122 of socket 115. Further, the terminals of plug 118 correspond tothe related terminals in the plugs attached to the same cable. For theexample cable 106 shown with respect to FIG. 1B, the terminals of plug118 a correspond to the terminals in plug 118 c through cable 106.Terminals in socket 115 a correspond to terminals in plug 118 a whileterminals in plug 118 c correspond to terminals in socket 115 c. Thus,power may be transferred through the cable 106 between the chargingdevice 104 and the powered device 108. It should be appreciated that thesame can be said when cable 110 couples the powered device 112 to thecharging device 104. Both powered devices 108 and 112 can communicate tothe charging device via their respective configuration channel terminalsCC1 and CC2. Further as discussed above, when only one of the powereddevices 108 and 112 are coupled to the charging device 104, the outputsof power converters 113 and 114 are coupled together to enable currentsharing to either powered device 108 or 112.

FIG. 1D is a pinout diagram 103 of a USB Type-C socket and plug utilizedin the example charging device 104. The pinout diagram 103 alsoillustrates the bus terminals VBUS 119/134, configuration channelterminals CC1 121/136, configuration channel terminals CC2 122/137, andreturn terminals 120/135. Further illustrated are transmission terminalsTX1+/TX1−/TX2+/TX2−, receive terminals RX1+/RX1−/TX2+/TX2−, and dataterminals D+/D−. Pinout diagram 103 illustrates the pin locations forthe corresponding terminals and a terminal can have multiple pinlocations. For example, both the return terminal RTN 120/135 and the busterminals VBUS 119/134 have four pin locations while configurationchannel terminals CC1 121/136 and CC2 122/137 have on pin location,respectively. As shown, the pin locations are on both sides of thesocket and plug to allow the plug to be a reversible connector. Further,the USB Type-C socket supports USB 2.0, USB 3.0, USB 3.1, and USB 4.0standards, along with protocols for DisplayPort and HDMI. In addition,the USB Type-C socket and plug can be utilized to allow the chargingdevice to negotiate the appropriate level of power flow to the powereddevice.

FIG. 2A is a schematic illustrating an example of the first powerconverter 113 along with a primary controller 248, a secondarycontroller 247, the PD controller 116, socket 115 a and socket 115 b, inaccordance with the teachings of the present disclosure. It should beappreciated that similarly named and numbered elements couple andfunction as described above. In one embodiment, the power convertercontrollers mentioned in the previous figures may comprise of theprimary controller 248 and the secondary controller 247. In anembodiment, the PD controller 116 negotiates with the secondarycontroller 247 to adjust/regulate the output quantity U_(O1) 125 of thefirst power converter 113. The output quantity U_(O1) 125 may be anoutput voltage V_(O1) 245, output current I₁ 124, or output power of thefirst power converter 113. The output quantity U_(O1) 125 is provided tothe bus terminal VBUS 119 a of socket 115 a.

For the embodiment shown, the first power converter 113 includes EMIfilter and rectification 239 which receives an ac input V_(AC) 102 andprovides the input voltage V_(IN) 238. The first power converter 113provides output power to the socket 115 a from the unregulated inputvoltage V_(IN) 238. In other embodiments, the input voltage V_(IN) 238may be a rectified ac line voltage, a rectified and filtered ac linevoltage, or a dc voltage. As shown, the input voltage V_(IN) 238 iscoupled to an energy transfer element T1 240. The energy transferelement T1 240 may be a coupled inductor, transformer, or an inductor.The example energy transfer element T1 240 includes two windings, aprimary winding and a secondary winding. Although the example shown inFIG. 2A illustrates an energy transfer element T1 240 with two windings,it should be appreciated that the energy transfer element T1 240 mayhave more than two windings. Coupled to the primary winding of theenergy transfer element T1 240 is a primary power switch SP1 241, whichis further coupled to input return 242. As will be discussed, theprimary power switch SP1 241 may be turned on and off to control thetransfer of energy from the input to the output of the first powerconverter 113.

The secondary winding is coupled to the output rectifier D1 243, whichin the depicted embodiment is a transistor used as a synchronousrectifier. However, in another embodiment, the output rectifier D1 243may be a diode. The illustrated output rectifier D1 243 is a low-sidecoupled output rectifier D1 243, however the output rectifier D1 243 mayalso be high-side coupled. Output capacitor CO1 244 is coupled to theoutput rectifier D1 243 and output return 246. The output of the powerconverter 113 is an output quantity U_(O1) 125, which may be the outputvoltage V_(O1) 245 across the output capacitor COI 244, output currentI₁ 124, or a combination of the two (such as output power).

The first power converter 113 includes a secondary controller 247 and aprimary controller 248 which control the switching of the outputrectifier D1 243 and the primary power switch SP1 241 to regulate theoutput quantity U_(O1) 125. In the illustrated embodiment, the firstpower converter 113 is shown as having a flyback topology. It should beappreciated that other known topologies and configurations of powerconverters may also benefit from the teachings of the presentdisclosure. In the depicted embodiment, the input of the first powerconverter 113 is galvanically isolated from the output of the firstpower converter 113 such that input return 242 is galvanically isolatedfrom output return 246. Since the input and output of power converter113 are galvanically isolated, there is no direct current (dc) pathacross the isolation barrier of energy transfer element T1 240, orbetween primary winding and secondary winding , or between input return242 and output return 246. Further, the primary controller 248 is shownas referenced to the input return 242 while the secondary controller 247is referenced to output return 246. As such, the primary controller 248is galvanically isolated from the secondary controller 247. However, itshould be appreciated that non-isolated converter topologies may benefitfrom the teachings of the present disclosure. Further, embodiments ofthe present disclosure could be utilized with two controllers which arenot isolated from each other. For example, a half-bridge power convertergenerally has a high side controller separated from a low sidecontroller.

In the embodiment shown, the first power converter 113 further includesthe secondary controller 247 configured to receive a voltage sensesignal 249 representative of the output voltage V_(O1) 245 and a currentsense signal 250 representative of the output current I₁ 240. Thesecondary controller 247 is configured to generate a secondary drivesignal SR 252 to control switching of the synchronous rectifier D1 243which is coupled to the output of the power converter 113. The secondarydrive signal SR 252 may be a rectangular pulse waveform with varyinglengths of logic high and logic low sections. Logic high sections maycorrespond with turning on the synchronous rectifier D1 252 while logiclow sections may correspond with turning off the synchronous rectifierD1 252.

The secondary controller 247 is also configured to generate a requestsignal REQ 253 in response to a sensed output quantity U_(O1) 125, whichmay be provided by the voltage sense signal 249, the current sensesignal 250, or a combination of the two. In other words, the secondarycontroller 247 is coupled to generate the request signal REQ 253 inresponse to the sensed output voltage V_(O1) 245, sensed output currentI₁ 124, and/or sensed output power. The request signal REQ 253 mayinclude request events which indicate that the primary controller 248should turn ON the primary power switch SP1 241. The request signal REQ253 may be a rectangular pulse waveform which pulses to a logic highvalue and quickly returns to a logic low value. The logic high pulsesmay be referred to as request events. The frequency of the requestevents may be responsive to the sensed output voltage V_(O1) 245, sensedoutput current I₁ 240, or sensed output power.

The primary controller 248 is configured to receive the request signalREQ 253 through a communication link. In the embodiment illustrated,communication link is shown in dashed lines to indicate that thecommunication link provides galvanic isolation between the primarycontroller 248 and the secondary controller 247. The galvanic isolationmay be provided by using an inductive coupling, such as a transformer orcoupled inductor, an optocoupler, a capacitive coupling, or other devicethat maintains galvanic isolation. The primary controller generates theprimary drive signal DR 254 to control the turning on and off of theprimary power switch SP1 241 in response to the request signal REQ 253.Further, the primary controller generates the primary drive signal DR254 to turn on the primary power switch SP1 241 in response to requestevents of the request signal REQ 253.

To regulate the output quantity U_(O1) 125 provided to the socket 115 a,the primary controller 248 and secondary controller 247 vary one or moreswitching parameters of the primary power switch SP1 241. Exampleparameters may include the on-time, off-time, and the switchingfrequency/period of the primary power switch SP1 241. In one example,the secondary controller 247 may determine the switchingfrequency/period of the primary power switch SP1 241 via the requestsignal REQ 253 while the primary controller 248 determines the on-timeof the primary power switch SP1 241. In one example, the switchingfrequency of the primary power switch SP1 241 is substantially thefrequency of request events of the request signal REQ 253. In anotherexample, the on-time may be determined by when the current through theprimary power switch SP1 241 reaches a current limit. In a furtherexample, the on-time may be determined by the frequency of the requestevents of the request signal REQ 253. The secondary controller 247 mayincrease the switching frequency of power switch SP1 241 to deliver moreenergy to bus terminal VBUS 119 a. However, it should be appreciatedthat other control schemes may be utilized.

It is generally understood that a switch that is closed may conductcurrent and is considered on, while a switch that is open cannot conductcurrent and is considered off. In one example, the primary power switchSP1 241 may be a transistor such as a metal-oxide-semiconductorfield-effect transistor (MOSFET), bipolar junction transistor (BJT),silicon carbide (SiC) based transistor, gallium nitride (GaN) basedtransistor, or an insulated-gate bipolar transistor (IGBT). In oneembodiment, primary controller 248 and secondary controller 247 may beformed as part of an integrated circuit that is manufactured as either ahybrid or monolithic integrated circuit, or may be implemented withdiscrete electrical components or a combination of discrete andintegrated components. In one embodiment, the primary power switch SP1241 may also be integrated in a single integrated circuit package withthe primary controller 248 and secondary controller 247. In addition, inone embodiment, primary controller 248 and secondary controller 247 maybe formed as separate integrated circuits. The primary power switch SP1241 may also be integrated in the same integrated circuit as the primarycontroller 248 could be formed on its own integrated circuit. Further,it should be appreciated that both the primary controller 248, secondarycontroller 247, and primary power switch SP1 241 need not be included ina single package and may be implemented in separate integrated circuitpackages or a combination of combined/separate packages. Thecommunication link may be formed from a lead frame which supports theintegrated circuit(s) of the primary and secondary controllers 248, 247.

A first pass transistor Q1 123 is coupled between the output of thefirst power converter 113 and the bus terminal VBUS 119 a of socket 115a. Node 126 is coupled between the output capacitor CO1 and the passtransistor Q1 123. As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the bidirectional switchS1 117 controlled by the PD controller 116 to enable output currentsharing couples to node 126 of the first power converter 113. The firstpass transistor Q1 123 is enabled or disabled to either allow the socket115 a (via bus terminal VBUS 119 a) to receive the output current I₁124, output voltage V_(O1) 245, and output power. In the embodimentshown, the secondary controller 247 outputs an enable signal 251 to turnon or off the pass transistor Q1 123. However, it should be appreciatedthat the PD controller 116 may couple to the pass transistor Q1 123 andoutput the enable signal 251 to turn on or off the pass transistor Q1123.

PD controller 116 is shown as coupled to configuration channel terminalsCC1 121 a and CC2 122 a of socket 115 a and configuration channelterminals CC1 121 b and CC2 122 b of socket 115 b. For this example, busterminal VBUS and return terminal RTN of socket 115 b are notillustrated so as not to obscure embodiments of the present disclosure.PD controller 116 outputs one or more communication signals to thesecondary controller 247. As shown in FIG. 2A, the example communicationsignals include a serial data signal SDA 131 and clock signal SCL 132 ofthe I²C two-wire interface protocol. However, it should be appreciatedthat other communication protocols could be used.

The secondary controller 247 may include a digital register in whichinformation about the power converter 113 is stored, such as the presentvalue of the output voltage V_(O1) 245, output current I₁ 124, andoutput power. The secondary controller 247 also stores information suchas the desired regulation values for the output voltage V_(O1) 245,output current I₁ 124, and output power. The commands by the PDcontroller 116 can generally be categorized as “read” commands and“write” commands. “Read” commands may include a status inquiry by the PDcontroller 116 in which the PD controller 116 requests the current valueof the output voltage V_(O1) 245, output current I₁ 124, or outputpower. “Write” commands may include a regulation or adjust command inwhich the PD controller 116 adjusts the desired regulation values forthe output voltage V_(O1) 245, output current I₁ 124, or output power.“Write” commands may also include an enable or disable command of thepass transistor Q1 123.

The bottom of FIG. 2A illustrates the general sequence of the I²Ccommunication protocol, illustrating the serial data signal SDA 131 andthe clock signal SCL 132. For a single communication, there is generallya start window 255 to begin communication from a master to a slave, anaddress window 256 to indicate which slave (secondary controller 247) isthe intended recipient of the communication, a command window 257 todetermine if the PD controller 116 is reading or writing to theappropriate slave (secondary controller 247), one or more data windowsand a stop window to indicate the communication has ended. For a readcommand, the data window 258 may include the registry address of theslave (secondary controller 247) to be read. For a write command, thedata window 258 may include the registry address of the slave (secondarycontroller 247) to be written along with the data to be written intothat registry address.

For the start window 255, both the serial data signal SDA 131 and theserial clock SCL 132 are pulled logic low. After the start window 255,the clock signal SCL 132 is a rectangular pulse waveform of logic highand logic low sections with a fixed frequency and period. The clocksignal SCL 132 substantially toggles between the start window 255 andthe stop winding 259. During the address window 256, command window 257,and data window(s) 258, each period of the clock signal SCL 132corresponds to one bit of the serial data signal SDA 131. During theaddress window 256, the serial data signal SDA 131 may toggle betweenlogic high and logic low values to indicate the address of the secondarycontroller 247. For the embodiment shown, the address of the secondarycontroller 247 is the 7-bit word: 0011000. After each window, thesecondary controller 247 sends an “acknowledgement A” to the PDcontroller 116 via the serial data signal SDA 131. The command window257 could be an 8-bit word representative of the command which the PDcontroller 116 sends to the secondary controller 247. One more datawindows 258 could be digital words of various length, depending on thedesign of the secondary controller 247. As shown, for the stop window259, both the serial data signal SDA 131 and the clock signal SCL 132are pulled logic high to indicate the communication has ended. When nocommunications are being sent, both the serial data signal SDA 131 andthe clock signal SCL 132 are logic high.

In operation, the PD controller 116 monitors the voltages ofconfiguration channel terminals CC1 121 a and CC2 122 a of socket 115 aand configuration channel terminals CC1 121 b and CC2 122 b of socket115 b to determine if the powered device 108 is plugged into socket 115a and/or powered device 112 is plugged into socket 115 b. PD controller116 negotiates with the coupled powered device for an appropriate levelof power delivery through the appropriate configuration channelterminals CC1 121 a and CC2 122 a of socket 115 a or configurationchannel terminals CC1 121 b and CC2 122 b of socket 115 b. For theexample of the first power converter 113 shown in FIG. 2A, the PDcontroller 116 can negotiate with a powered device for the desired valueof output voltage V_(O1) 245, output current I₁ 124, and/or output powerprovided to the bus terminal VBUS 119 a of socket 115 a.

In one embodiment of the disclosure, if two powered devices are coupledto the charging device, e.g. a powered device is coupled to first socket115 a and another powered device is coupled to second socket 115 b, thePD controller 116 outputs the serial data signal SDA 131 and the clockSCL 132 to the secondary controller 247 to enable pass transistor Q1 123and to enable the pass transistor Q2 127 (shown in FIGS. 1B and 2B).Further, the PD controller 116 disables the bidirectional switch S1 117,such that there is no current sharing between the first power converter113 and the second power converter 114. The PD controller 116 maynegotiate the Power Delivery contract with each powered device. Thefirst power converter 113 provides energy to the powered device coupledvia first socket 115 a and the PD controller 116 outputs the serial datasignal SDA 131 and the serial clock SCL 132 to adjust the regulationvalues of output voltage V_(O1) 245, output current I₁ 124, and/oroutput power provided by the first power converter 113 per the PowerDelivery contract with the powered device coupled via first socket 115a. As shown in FIG. 2B, the second power converter 114 provides energyto the powered device coupled via second socket 115 b and the PDcontroller 116 outputs the serial data signal SDA 131 and the clock SCL132 to adjust the regulation values of output voltage V_(O2) 265, outputcurrent I₂ 128, and/or output power provided by the second powerconverter 114 per the Power Delivery contract with the powered devicecoupled via second socket 115 b.

In one embodiment, if a single powered device is coupled to the chargingdevice via the first socket 115 a, the PD controller 116 outputs theserial data signal SDA 131 and the clock SCL 132 to the secondarycontroller 247 to enable pass transistor Q1 123 and to disable the passtransistor Q2 127 (shown in FIGS. 1B and 2B). Further, the PD controller116 enables the bidirectional switch S1 117 such that the second powerconverter 114 can share its output current I₂ 128 with the first powerconverter 113. The PD controller 116 may negotiate the Power Deliverycontract with the powered device coupled via the first socket 115 a. Thefirst power converter 113 provides energy to the powered device coupledvia first socket 115 a and the PD controller 116 outputs the serial datasignal SDA 131 and the serial clock SCL 132 to adjust the regulationvalues of output voltage V_(O1) 245, output current I₁ 124, and/oroutput power provided by the first power converter 113 per the powerdelivery contract with the powered device coupled via socket 115 a. Asshown in FIG. 2B, the second power converter 114 provides energy to thepowered device coupled via first socket 115 a and the PD controller 116outputs the serial data signal SDA 131 and the clock SCL to adjust theregulation values of output voltage V_(O2) 265, output current I₂ 128,and/or output power provided by the second power converter 114 per thePower Delivery contract with the powered device coupled via first socket115 a.

In one embodiment, if a single powered device is coupled to the chargingdevice via second socket 115 b, the PD controller 116 outputs the serialdata signal SDA 131 and the clock SCL 132 to the secondary controller247 to disable pass transistor Q1 123 and to enable the pass transistorQ2 127 (shown in FIGS. 1B and 2B). Further, the PD controller 116enables the bidirectional switch S1 117 such that the first powerconverter 113 can share its output current I₁ 124 with the second powerconverter 114. The PD controller 116 may negotiate the Power Deliverycontract with the powered device coupled via the second socket 115 b. Asshown in FIG. 2B, the second power converter 114 provides energy to thepowered device coupled via socket 115 b and the PD controller 116outputs the serial data signal SDA 131 and the serial clock SCL 132 toadjust the regulation values of output voltage V_(O2) 265, outputcurrent I₂ 128, and/or output power provided by the second powerconverter 114 per the Power Delivery contract with the powered devicecoupled via socket 115 b. As shown in FIG. 2A, the first power converter113 provides energy to the powered device coupled via socket 115 b andthe PD controller 116 outputs the serial data signal SDA 131 and theserial clock SCL 132 to adjust the regulation values of output voltageV_(O1) 245, output current I₁ 124, and/or output power provided by thefirst power converter 113 per the Power Delivery contract with thepowered device coupled via socket 115 b.

FIG. 2B illustrates an example of the second power converter 114 alongwith a primary controller 268, a secondary controller 267, the PDcontroller 116, first socket 115 a and second socket 115 b, inaccordance with teachings of the present disclosure. It should beappreciated that similarly named and numbered elements couple andfunction as described above. In one example, the PD controller 116negotiates with the secondary controller 267 to adjust/regulate theoutput quantity U_(O2) 129 of the second power converter 114. The outputquantity U_(O2) 129 may be an output voltage V_(O2) 265, output currentI₂ 128, or output power of the second power converter 114. The outputquantity U_(O2) 129 may be provided to the bus terminal VBUS 119 b ofsocket 115 b.

It should be appreciated that the second power converter 114 shown inFIG. 2B shares many similarities as the first power converter 113 shownwith respect to FIGS. 2A and similarly named elements couple andfunction as described above. However, elements have been renumbered toavoid confusion. For example: energy transfer element T2 260, primarypower switch SP2 261, input return 262, output rectifier D2 263, outputcapacitor CO2 264, output return 266, secondary controller 267, primarycontroller 268, voltage sense signal 269 representative of outputvoltage V_(O2) 265 across output capacitor CO2 264, current sense signal270 representative of output current I₂ 128, enable signal 271, requestsignal REQ 273, secondary drive signal SR 272 and primary drive signalDR 274 have been renumbered in FIG. 2B, but couple and function tosimilarly named elements described above. Similar to FIG. 2A, FIG. 2Billustrates node 130 coupled between the output of the second powerconverter 114 and the pass transistor Q2 127. As shown, node 130 iscoupled between the output capacitor CO2 264 and the pass transistor Q2127. As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the bidirectional switch S1 117controlled by the PD controller 116 to enable output current sharingcouples to node 130 of second power converter 114. The pass transistorQ2 127 is enabled or disabled to either allow the socket 115 b (via busterminal VBUS 119 b) to receive the output current I₂ 128, outputvoltage V_(O2) 265, and output power. At least one difference, however,is the secondary controller 267 of FIG. 2B is, in this embodiment,addressed as “0011001” such that the PD controller 116 can send commandsto the secondary controller 267 via serial data signal SDA 131 andserial clock signal SCL 132.

In other embodiments, the PD controller 116 can control power converter113 and power converter 114 without a communication bus. The secondarycontrollers 247 and 267 can further comprise/include comparators toregulate the output current and/or the output voltage. The firstcomparator may be configured to compare an output current of the powerconverter to a current reference. The current reference may be a voltagesignal which is representative of a current. The PD controller 116 canbe configured to directly adjust the current reference of the firstcomparator in order to regulate the output current to the valuedetermined by the PD controller 116. In addition, the second comparatormay be configured to compare an output voltage of the power converter toa voltage reference. The PD controller 116 can be configured to directlyadjust the voltage reference of the second comparator in order toregulate the output voltage to the value determined by the PD controller116.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a multiple output charging device 104which may provide power to one or more powered devices by controlling abidirectional switch 117, in accordance with teachings of the presentdisclosure. It is appreciated that the elements and signals illustratedin FIG. 3 may be examples of corresponding elements and signalsillustrated or described above in FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 2A, and 2B, andthat similarly named and numbered elements and signals referenced beloware coupled and function similar to as described above.

In one embodiment, the charging device 104 comprises a first powerconverter 113, a second power converter 114, a first socket 115 a, asecond socket 115 b, a PD controller 116, a bidirectional switch 117, afirst pass transistor Q1 123, and a second pass transistor Q2 127. Thefirst power converter 113 is configured to receive an input voltageV_(IN) 238, and further configured to generate a first output current I₁124, and may regulated by a first power converter controller. In theembodiment shown, the first power converter 113 is coupled to the firstpass transistor Q1 123. The second power converter 114 is configured toreceive the input voltage V_(IN) 238, and further configured to generatea second output current I₂ 128, and may be regulated by a second powerconverter controller. In the example shown, the second power converter114 is coupled to the second pass transistor Q2 127. In one embodiment.the bidirectional switch 117 comprises of a first transistor 375 and asecond transistor 376. In one embodiment, the first and secondtransistors 375,376 may be p-type metal-oxide-semiconductor field effecttransistors (PMOS).

The charging device 104 operates in a similar as described in theprevious FIGS. For this embodiment, the operation of the bidirectionalswitches 117 will be described with respect to when one powered deviceis coupled to a single socket and when both powered devices are coupledto the both sockets.

In one embodiment, when the first socket 115 a is coupled to the powereddevice and the second socket 115 b is not coupled to the powered device,the total output power delivered from the first power converter 113 andthe second power converter 114 to the first socket 115 a may include acombination of the first output current I₁ 124 and the second outputcurrent I₂ 128. The PD controller 116 turns off the second passtransistor Q2 127 by communicating to the second power convertercontroller of the second power converter 114 through the I2C circuit buslines SDA 131 and SCL 132. The second power converter 114 generates alogic low enable signal 271 to turn off the second pass transistor Q2127. The PD controller 116 also generates the enable signals 133 a and133 b to turn on the PMOS transistors 375 and 376. In one embodiment, alogic low value for the enable signals 133 a and 133 b turn on the PMOStransistors 375 and 376. As such, the second output current I₂ 128 flowsfrom node 130, through PMOS transistors 376 and 375 to node 126. Assuch, the current provided by the first power converter 113 from node126 may be the sum of the first output current I₁ 124 and the secondoutput current I₂ 128. In one embodiment, the PD controller 116 isconfigured to turn on first pass transistor Q1 123 by communicating tothe first power converter controller of the first power converter 113through the I2C circuit bus lines SDA 131 and SCL 132. Therefore, thefirst output power U_(O1) 125, which includes a combination of the firstoutput current I₁ 124 and the second output current I₂ 128, is deliveredfrom the charging device to the socket 115 a through the VBUS 119 a withrespect to the return 120 a.

In one embodiment, when the first socket 115 a is not coupled to thepowered device 108 and the second socket 115 b is coupled to the powereddevice 112, the total shared output power delivered from the first powerconverter 113 and the second power converter 114 to the second socket115 b may be the combination of the first output current I₁ 124 and thesecond output current I₂ 128. The PD controller 116 is configured toturn off the first pass transistor Q1 123 by communicating to the firstpower converter controller of the first power converter 113 through theI2C circuit bus lines SDA 131 and SCL 132. The first power converter 113generates a logic low value of enable signal 251 to turn off first passtransistor Q1 123. In one embodiment, the PD controller 116 generatesthe enable signals 133 a and 133 b to turn on the PMOS transistors 375and 376. In one embodiment, a logic low value for the enable signals 133a and 133 b turns on the PMOS transistors 375 and 376. As such, thefirst output current I₁ 124 flows from node 126 through PMOS transistors375 and 376 to node 130. As such, the current provided from node 130 bythe second power converter 114 may be the sum of the first outputcurrent I₁ 124 and the second output current I₂ 128. Further, the PDcontroller 116 may be configured to turn on the second pass transistorQ2 127 by communicating to the second power converter controller of thesecond power converter 114 through the I2C circuit bus lines SDA 131 andSCL 132. Therefore, the second output power U_(O2) 129, which includes acombination of the first output current I₁ 124 and the second outputcurrent I₂ 128, is delivered from the charging device 104 to the secondsocket 115 b through the VBUS 119 b with respect to the return 120 b.

In another embodiment, the PD controller 116 is configured to detectboth a coupling of the first socket 115 a to the first powered device108 based on the configuration channel signal CC1 121 a or CC2 122 a anda coupling of the second socket 115 b to the second powered device 112based on the configuration channel signals CC1 121 b and CC2 122 b. ThePD controller 116 provides a logic high value for enable signals 133 aand 133 b turns off the PMOS transistors 375, 376. As such, the firstoutput current I₁ 126 and the second output current I₂ 128 are notcombined. The PD controller 116 is configured to turn on first passtransistor Q1 123 by communicating to the first power convertercontroller of the first power converter 113 and further configured toturn on the second pass transistor Q2 127 by communication to the firstpower converter controller of the second power converter 114 through theI2C circuit bus lines SDA 131 and SCL 132. The first power converter 113generates a logic high value for enable signal 251 to turn on the firstpass transistor Q1 123. Therefore, the first output power U_(O1) 125,which includes the first output current I₁ 124, may be delivered fromthe charging device 104 to the socket 115 a through the VBUS 119 a withrespect to the return 120 a. The second power converter 114 generates alogic high value for enable signal 271 to turn on the second passtransistor Q2 127. Therefore, the second output power U_(O2) 129, whichincludes the second output current I₂ 128, may be delivered from thecharging device 104 to the socket 115 b through the VBUS 119 b withrespect to the return 120 b.

FIG. 4A is a flow diagram illustrating a process 400 for themicrocontroller to determine if a single socket is coupled to a powereddevice or multiple sockets are connected to powered devices. In theexample of FIG. 4A, the total number of sockets is two. The order inwhich some or all of the process blocks appear in process 400 should notbe deemed limiting. Rather, one of ordinary skill in the art having thebenefit of the present disclosure will understand that some of theprocess blocks may be executed in a variety of orders not illustrated,or even in parallel.

Process 400 begins at start block 402 and proceeds to decision block404. At decision block 404, the microcontroller determines if a singlesocket has been coupled to a powered device based on the configurationchannel signals received at their respective sockets. If a single sockethas been detected to couple to a powered device, process 400 proceeds todecision block 406. At decision block 406, the microcontrollerdetermines if the first socket is coupled when the microcontrollerreceives configuration channel signals from the first socket. If thefirst socket is coupled, process 400 proceeds to block 420 which leadsto FIG. 4B. The process shown in FIG. 4B further describes the currentsharing that is delivered to the first socket to the powered device. Ifthe first socket is not coupled, process 400 proceeds to block 408. Atblock 408, the second socket is coupled, and process 400 proceeds toblock 440 which leads to FIG. 4C. The process shown in FIG. 4C furtherdescribes the current sharing that is delivered to the second socket tothe powered device.

If a single socket has not been detected at decision block 404, process400 proceeds to decision block 410. At decision block 410, themicrocontroller determines if multiple sockets are coupled to powereddevices based on the configuration channel signals received at multiplesockets. If no sockets are coupled to the powered devices, process 400loops back to decision block 404. If multiple sockets are coupled topowered devices, process 400 proceeds to block 460 which leads to FIG.4D. The process shown in FIG. 4D further describes the absence ofcurrent sharing because multiple powered devices are coupled to thesocket.

FIG. 4B illustrates an example of a flow diagram illustrating theoperation of the charging device when only a first socket is coupled toa powered device. Block 420 is a continuation of the flow diagram asshown in FIG. 4A. For reference, decision block 406 for themicrocontroller to determine if the first socket is coupled to powereddevice is reproduced for clarity. If the first socket is coupled to thepowered device, process 400 proceeds to block 422. At block 422, themicrocontroller negotiates a compatible power delivery contract with thefirst powered device. Process 400 proceeds to block 424. At block 424,the microcontroller adjusts the output power of the first powerconverter and the second output converter. As mentioned previously, themicrocontroller is configured to communicate to the first powerconverter controller and the second power controller to change theoutput power. Process 400 proceeds to block 426. At block 426, themicrocontroller disables the second pass transistor (Q2) coupled to thesecond power converter. As mentioned previously, the microcontroller isconfigured to communicate to the second power converter controller togenerate a signal to turn off the second pass transistor. Process 400proceeds to block 428. At block 428, the microcontroller enables thebidirectional switch to provide current sharing of the first powerconverter and the second power converter to the first powered devicethrough the first socket. Process 400 proceeds to decision block 430. Atdecision block 430, the microcontroller compares the first output powerand the second output power. If the first output power is less thaneighty percent of the second output power, the microcontroller hasdetermined these values are outside the hysteresis range. Process 400proceeds to block 432. At block 432 the microcontroller communicates tothe second power converter to increase the output voltage of the secondpower converter by a percentage. Process 400 loops back to decisionblock 430.

If the first output power is not less than eighty percent of the secondoutput power, process 400 proceeds to decision block 434. At decisionblock 434, the microcontroller compares the first output power and thesecond output power. If the first output power is greater thanone-hundred twenty percent of the second output power, themicrocontroller has determined these values are outside the hysteresisrange. Process 400 proceeds to block 436. At block 436 themicrocontroller communicates to the second power converter to decreasethe output voltage of the second power converter by a percentage.Process 400 loops back to decision block 430. At decision block 434, ifthe first output power is not greater than one-hundred twenty percent ofthe second output power, the microcontroller has determine these valuesare within the hysteresis range. Process 400 loops back to decisionblock 430.

FIG. 4C illustrates an example of a flow diagram illustrating theoperation of the charging device only when the second socket is coupledto a powered device. Block 440 is a continuation of the flow diagram asshown in FIG. 4A. For reference, block 408 for the microcontrollerdetermines the second socket is coupled to the powered device isreproduced for clarity. Process 400 proceeds to block 442. At block 442,the microcontroller negotiates a compatible power delivery contract withthe powered device. Process 400 proceeds to block 444. At block 444, themicrocontroller adjusts the output power of the first power converterand the second output converter. As mentioned previously, themicrocontroller is configured to communicate to the first powerconverter controller and the second power controller to change theoutput power. Process 400 proceeds to block 446. At block 446, themicrocontroller disables the first pass transistor (Q1) coupled to thefirst power converter. As mentioned previously, the microcontroller isconfigured to communicate to the first power converter controller togenerate a signal to turn off the first pass transistor. Process 400proceeds to block 448. At block 448, the microcontroller enables thebidirectional switch to provide current sharing of the first powerconverter and the second power converter to the powered device throughthe second socket. Process 400 proceeds to block 450. At decision block450, the microcontroller compares the second output power and the firstoutput power. If the second output power is less than eighty percent ofthe first output power, the microcontroller has determined these valuesare outside the hysteresis range. Process 400 proceeds to block 452. Atblock 452 the microcontroller communicates to the first power converterto increase the output voltage of the first power converter by apercentage. Process 400 loops back to decision block 450.

If the second output power is not less than eighty percent of the firstoutput power, process 400 proceeds to decision block 454. At decisionblock 454, the microcontroller compares the second output power and thefirst output power. If the second output power is greater thanone-hundred twenty percent of the first output power, themicrocontroller has determined these values are outside the hysteresisrange. Process 400 proceeds to block 456. At block 456 themicrocontroller communicates to the first power converter to decreasethe output voltage of the first power converter by a percentage. Process400 loops back to decision block 450. At decision block 454, if thesecond output power is not greater than one-hundred twenty percent ofthe first output power, the microcontroller has determine these valuesare within the hysteresis range. Process 400 loops back to decisionblock 430.

FIG. 4D illustrates the process steps for block 460 of FIG. 4A afterdecision block 410. Decision block 410 is reproduced for clarity. Atdecision block 410, the microcontroller detects if multiple sockets ofthe charging device are connected to respective powered devices. If no,process 400 returns to decision block 404 shown in FIG. 4A. If yes, theprocess 400 continues to block 462.

At block 462, the microcontroller disables the bidirectional switch S1and there is no current sharing between the first and second powerconverters. As such, each power converter is coupled to provide outputpower to their respective sockets and powered devices. Process 400continues to block 464. At block 464, the microcontroller negotiates thepower delivery contract with both the first powered device and thesecond powered device. The power delivery contract may be accomplishedwith configuration channels for the respective sockets/ports. Once themicrocontroller has negotiated the power delivery contract, process 400moves on to block 466.

At block 466, the microcontroller adjusts the regulated output power forboth the first power converter and the second power converter of thecharging device in response to the negotiated power delivery contract.The microcontroller can adjust the regulated output power by adjustingthe regulated value of the output current, output voltage, or both ofthe respective power converter. At block 468, the microcontrollerenables the first pass transistor Q1 coupled to the output of the firstpower converter and the second pass transistor Q2 coupled to the outputof the second power converter.

The above description of illustrated examples of the present invention,including what is described in the Abstract, are not intended to beexhaustive or to be limitation to the precise forms disclosed. Whilespecific embodiments of, and examples for, the invention are describedherein for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications arepossible without departing from the broader spirit and scope of thepresent invention. Indeed, it is appreciated that the specific examplevoltages, currents, frequencies, power range values, times, etc., areprovided for explanation purposes and that other values may also beemployed in other embodiments and examples in accordance with theteachings of the present invention.

Although the present invention is defined in the claims, it should beunderstood that the present invention can alternatively be defined inaccordance with the following examples:

Example 1. A multiple output power supply comprising: a first powerconverter configured to provide a first output power, the first powerconverter further configured to receive a communication signal to adjustthe first output power; a second power converter configured to provide asecond output power, the second power converter further configured toreceive the communication signal to adjust the second output power; abidirectional switch coupled between the first power converter and thesecond power converter; and a microcontroller coupled to the first powerconverter and the second power converter, the microcontroller configuredto receive a first configuration channel signal from a first powereddevice, the microcontroller further configured to negotiate with thefirst powered device a total output power of the multiple output powersupply, the microcontroller further configured to generate thecommunication signal to the first power converter and the second powerconverter to provide the total output power in accordance with thenegotiation between the microcontroller and the first powered device,wherein the total output power is a sum of the first output power andthe second output power, the microcontroller further configured tocontrol the bidirectional switch such that the first power converter andthe second power converter provide the total output power to the firstpowered device.

Example 2. The multiple output power supply of example 1, the secondpower converter coupled to a switch (Q2), the switch configured toprovide the second output power from the second power converter to asecond charging device.

Example 3. The multiple output power supply of any preceding example,the microcontroller further configured to disable the switch (Q2) inresponse to a turn on of the bidirectional switch.

Example 4. The multiple output power supply of any preceding example,the microcontroller further configured to adjust the first output powerand the second output power to be equal within a hysteresis, wherein thehysteresis is that the first output power is greater than one-hundredtwenty percent of the second output power.

Example 5. The multiple output power supply of any preceding example,the microcontroller further configured to adjust the first output powerand the second output power to be equal within a hysteresis, wherein thehysteresis is that the first output power is less than eighty percent ofthe second output power.

Example 6. The multiple output power supply of any preceding example,the microcontroller further configured to adjust the first output powerand the second output power to be equal within a hysteresis, wherein thehysteresis is that the second output power is greater than one-hundredtwenty percent of the first output power.

Example 7. The multiple output power supply of any preceding example,the microcontroller further configured to adjust the first output powerand the second output power to be equal within a hysteresis, wherein thehysteresis is that the second output power is less than eighty percentof the first output power

Example 8. The multiple output power supply of any preceding example,the microcontroller further configured to receive a second configurationchannel signal from a second powered device, the microcontroller furtherconfigured to negotiate the second output power with the second powereddevice, the microcontroller further configured to negotiate the firstoutput power with the first powered device, the microcontroller furtherconfigured to generate the communication signal to the first powerconverter and the second power converter.

Example 9. The multiple output power supply of any preceding example,the microcontroller configured to turn off the bidirectional switch.

Example 10. The multiple output power supply of any preceding example,the second power converter coupled to a switch (Q2), the switch (Q2)configured to provide the second output power from the second powerconverter to the second powered device.

Example 11. The multiple output power supply of any preceding example,the first power converter coupled to a second switch, the second switchconfigured to provide the first output power from the first powerconverter to the first powered device.

Example 12. The multiple output power supply of any preceding example 1,the bidirectional switch comprising a first PMOS transistor, and asecond PMOS transistor.

Example 13. The multiple output power supply of any preceding example,wherein the first power converter and the second power converter is aflyback converter.

Example 14. The multiple output power supply of any preceding example,the first power converter further comprising a first power convertercontroller, the first power converter controller configured to receivethe communication signal from the microcontroller.

Example 15. The multiple output power supply of any preceding example,the second power converter further comprising a second power convertercontroller, the second power converter controller configured to receivethe communication signal from the microcontroller.

Example 16. The multiple output power supply of any preceding example,the microcontroller configured to communicate the communication signalto the first power converter controller and the second power convertercontroller over an inter-integrated (I2C) circuit bus.

Example 17. A charging device, comprising: a first power converterconfigured to provide a first output power, the first power converterfurther configured to be regulated by a first controller; a second powerconverter configured to provide a second output power, the second powerconverter further configured to be regulated by a second controller; aswitch coupled to the first power converter and the second powerconverter; a first socket coupled to the first power converter, thefirst socket configured to deliver the first output power from the firstpower converter to a first powered device; a second socket coupled tothe second power converter, the second socket configured to deliver thesecond output power from the second power converter to a second powereddevice; and a power delivery (PD) controller configured to detect acoupling of the first socket to the first powered device, the PDcontroller further configured to detect an absence of coupling of thesecond socket to the second powered device, the PD controller furtherconfigured to control the switch to provide the first output power andthe second output power to the first powered device.

Example 18. The charging device of example 17, the PD controller furtherconfigured to detect an absence of coupling of the first socket to thefirst powered device, the PD controller further configured to detect acoupling of the second socket to the second powered device, the PDcontroller further configured to control the switch to provide the firstoutput power and the second output power to the second powered device.

Example 19. The charging device of example 17 or 18, the PD controllerfurther configured to turn off the switch in response to the coupling ofthe first socket to the first powered device and to the coupling of thesecond socket to the second powered device.

Example 20. The charging device of any one of examples 17 to 19, thefirst socket comprising: a voltage bus terminal; a first configurationchannel terminal; a second configuration channel terminal; and a firstreturn terminal.

Example 21. The charging device of any one of examples 17 to 20, thesecond socket comprising: a voltage bus terminal; a third configurationchannel terminal; a fourth configuration channel terminal; and a secondreturn terminal.

Example 22. The charging device of any one of examples 17 to 21, the PDcontroller further configured to communicate to the first controller tochange the first output power of the first power converter, wherein thefirst output power comprises a first output voltage and a first outputcurrent that can be adjusted by the first controller.

Example 23. The charging device of any one of examples 17 to 22, the PDcontroller further configured to communicate to the second controller toadjust the second output power of the second power converter, whereinthe second output power comprises a second output voltage and a secondoutput current that can be adjusted by the second controller.

Example 24. The charging device of any one of examples 17 to 23, the PDcontroller further configured to communicate to the first controller andthe second controller via an inter-integrated (I2C) bus.

Example 25. The charging device of any one of examples 17 to 24, thefirst controller further comprising a first current comparator, thefirst current comparator configured to compare a first output current ofthe first power converter to a first current reference.

Example 26. The charging device of any one of examples 17 to 25, the PDcontroller further configured to adjust the first current reference ofthe first current comparator to change the first output current.

Example 27. The charging device of any one of examples 17 to 26, thesecond controller further comprising a second current comparator, thesecond current comparator configured to compare a second output currentof the second power converter to a second current reference.

Example 28. The charging device of any one of examples 17 to 27, the PDcontroller further configured to adjust the second current reference ofthe second current comparator to change the second output current.

Example 29. The charging device of any one of examples 17 to 28, thefirst controller further comprising a first voltage comparator, thefirst voltage comparator configured to compare a first output voltage ofthe first power converter to a first voltage reference.

Example 30. The charging device of any one of examples 17 to 29, the PDcontroller configured to adjust the first voltage reference of the firstvoltage comparator to change the first output voltage.

Example 31. The charging device of any one of examples 17 to 30, thesecond controller further comprising a second voltage comparator, thesecond voltage comparator configured to compare a second output voltageof the second power converter to a second voltage reference.

Example 32. The charging device of any one of examples 17 to 31, the PDcontroller configured to adjust the second voltage reference of thesecond voltage comparator to change the second output voltage.

Example 33. The charging device of any one of examples 17 to 32, furthercomprising a first pass transistor, wherein the first pass transistor isconfigured to be turned on by the PD controller in response to thecoupling of the first socket to the first powered device.

Example 34. The charging device of any one of examples 17 to 33, furthercomprising a second pass transistor, wherein the second pass transistoris configured to be turned off by the PD controller in response to thecoupling of the first socket to the first powered device and the absenceof coupling of the second socket to the second powered device.

Example 35. The charging device of any one of examples 17 to 34, furthercomprising a second pass transistor, wherein the second pass transistoris configured to be turned on by the PD controller in response to thecoupling of the second socket to the second powered device.

Example 36. The charging device of any one of examples 17 to 35, whereinthe first pass transistor is configured to be turned off by the PDcontroller in response to the coupling of the second socket to thesecond powered device, and the absence of coupling of the first socketto the first powered device.

Example 37. A method for providing power from a charging device to oneor more powered devices, the method comprising: detecting a coupling ofa first socket to a first powered device; detecting an absence ofcoupling of a second socket to a second powered device; negotiating apower delivery contract from the charging device to the first powereddevice; adjusting a first output power of a first power converter;adjusting a second output power of a second power converter; disabling aswitch coupled to the second power converter; enabling a bidirectionalswitch to provide a shared output power, the bidirectional switchcoupled to the first power converter, the bidirectional switch furthercoupled to the second power converter, wherein the shared output poweris a combination of the first output power and the second output power;and enabling a second switch coupled to the first power converter toprovide the shared output power in accordance with the power deliverycontract to the first powered device.

Example 38. A method for providing power from a charging device to oneor more powered devices, the method comprising: detecting a coupling ofa first socket to a first powered device; detecting a coupling of asecond socket to a second powered device; disabling a bidirectionalswitch, the bidirectional switch configured to prevent current sharingof the first power converter and the second power converter; negotiatinga first power delivery contract from the charging device to the firstpowered device; negotiating a second first power delivery contract fromthe charging device to the second powered device; adjusting a firstoutput power of a first power converter in accordance to the first powerdelivery contract; adjusting a second output power of a second powerconverter in accordance to the second power delivery contract; enablinga first switch coupled to the first power converter; and enabling aswitch coupled to the second power converter.

What is claimed is:
 1. A charging device, comprising: a first powerconverter configured to provide a first output current; a second powerconverter configured to provide a second output current; a switchcoupled to an output of the first power converter and an output of thesecond power converter; a first socket coupled to the output of thefirst power converter; a second socket coupled to the output of thesecond power converter; and a power delivery (PD) controller configuredto control a turn ON of the switch in response to a coupling of thefirst socket to a first powered device and an absence of coupling of thesecond socket to a second powered device.
 2. The charging device ofclaim 1, wherein the first socket is configured to provide a sum of thefirst output current and the second output current to the first powereddevice.
 3. The charging device of claim 1, wherein the PD controller isconfigured to turn ON the switch in response to a coupling of the secondsocket to the second powered device and an absence of coupling of thefirst socket to the first powered device.
 4. The charging device ofclaim 3, wherein the second socket is configured to provide a sum of thefirst output current and the second output current to the second powereddevice.
 5. The charging device of claim 1, wherein the PD controllerconfigured to control the turn OFF of the switch in response to thecoupling of the first socket to the first powered device and a couplingof the second socket to the second powered device.
 6. The chargingdevice of claim 1, further comprising a first pass transistor, whereinthe first pass transistor is configured to be turned ON in response tothe coupling of the first socket to the first powered device.
 7. Thecharging device of claim 6, further comprising a second pass transistor,wherein the second pass transistor is configured to be turned OFF inresponse to the coupling of the first socket to the first powered deviceand the absence of coupling of the second socket to the second powereddevice.
 8. The charging device of claim 6, further comprising a secondpass transistor, wherein the second pass transistor is configured to beturned ON in response to the coupling of the second socket to the secondpowered device.
 9. The charging device of claim 8, wherein the firstpass transistor is configured to be turned OFF in response to thecoupling of the second socket to the second powered device and theabsence of coupling of the first socket to the first powered device. 10.The charging device of claim 1, further comprising a secondarycontroller configured to regulate the first output current of the firstpower converter, wherein the PD controller is further configured tocommunicate to the secondary controller to change the first outputcurrent.
 11. The charging device of claim 10, the secondary controllerfurther comprising a first current comparator, the first currentcomparator configured to compare the first output current of the firstpower converter to a first current reference, wherein the PD controlleris configured to adjust the first current reference of the first currentcomparator to change the first output current.
 12. The charging deviceof claim 10, wherein the PD controller is further configured tocommunicate to the secondary controller via an inter-integrated (I²C)bus.
 13. The charging device of claim 1, further comprising a secondarycontroller configured to regulate a first output power of the firstpower converter, wherein the PD controller is configured to communicateto the secondary controller to change the first output power, whereinthe first output power comprises the first output current and a firstoutput voltage that can be adjusted by the secondary controller.
 14. Thecharging device of claim 13, the secondary controller further comprisinga first voltage comparator, the first voltage comparator configured tocompare the first output voltage of the first power converter to a firstvoltage reference, wherein the PD controller is configured to adjust thefirst voltage reference to change the first output voltage.
 15. Acontrol system for a first power converter, the control systemcomprising: a primary controller configured to control the turn ON andturn OFF of a power switch to control a transfer of energy between aninput of the first power converter to an output of the first powerconverter, wherein the output of the first power converter is to becoupled to a first socket; a secondary controller configured to sense afirst output current of the first power converter and, in response tothe sensed first output current, to generate and send to the primarycontroller a request signal to turn ON the power switch; and a powerdelivery (PD) controller configured to provide an enable signal tocontrol a turn ON and turn OFF of a bidirectional switch to be coupledto the output of the first power converter and an output of a secondpower converter, wherein the output of the second power converter is tobe coupled to a second socket, wherein the PD controller is configuredto detect a coupling of the first socket to a first powered device and acoupling of the second socket to a second powered device, wherein the PDcontroller is configured to provide the enable signal to turn ON thebidirectional switch in response to the coupling of the first socket tothe first powered device and an absence of the coupling of the secondsocket to the second powered device.
 16. The control system of claim 15,wherein the first socket is configured to provide a sum of the firstoutput current and a second output current of the second power converterto the first powered device.
 17. The control system of claim 15, whereinthe PD controller is configured to provide the enable signal to turn OFFthe bidirectional switch in response to the coupling of the first socketto the first powered device and a coupling of the second socket to thesecond powered device.
 18. The control system of claim 15, wherein thesecondary controller is configured to provide a pass enable signal tocontrol the turn ON and turn OFF of a first pass transistor to becoupled to the output of the first power converter, wherein thesecondary controller is configured to provide the pass enable signal toturn ON the first pass transistor in response to the coupling of thefirst socket to the first powered device.
 19. The control system ofclaim 18, wherein the secondary controller is configured to provide thepass enable signal to turn OFF the first pass transistor in response tothe absence of coupling of the first socket to the first powered device.20. The control system of claim 15, wherein the secondary controller isconfigured to regulate the first output current of the first powerconverter, and wherein the PD controller is configured to communicate tothe secondary controller to change the first output current.
 21. Thecontrol system of claim 20, the secondary controller further comprisinga first current comparator, the first current comparator configured tocompare the first output current of the first power converter to a firstcurrent reference, wherein the PD controller is configured to adjust thefirst current reference to change the first output current.
 22. Thecontrol system of claim 15, wherein the secondary controller configuredto regulate a first output power of the first power converter, whereinthe PD controller is further configured to communicate to the secondarycontroller to change the first output power, and wherein the firstoutput power comprises the first output current and a first outputvoltage that can be adjusted by the secondary controller.